Predictions/Expectations October 10

BYU

Note:  Still don't know exactly what to expect.  Young team, a lot of returned missionaries.  Inconsistency and unpredictability for most of the rest of the season.

Current Record: 3-2

Probable Wins

Wagner (Easiest game left this season)
San Jose State
Fresno State

Toss Up

East Carolina
Cincinnati
Missouri (Most difficult game left this season)
Utah State

Pessimists Prediction: 6-6
Optimists Prediction: 10-2

This week:

East Carolina has a couple of quarterbacks that could give the BYU defense fits.  One runs real well, and the other passes real well.  But not like Taysom Hill and Tanner Mangum.  This is more like Riley Nelson and Christian Stewart.  That could be bad enough for BYU.  They will need to force turnovers and score in the red zone to win.  There are two things that happen to BYU each season under Bronco.  One, is that they get blown out by a P5 school, and the other is that they lose a game that they should win.  This could be that game.

Prediction: East Carolina 27 BYU 24

Post Season Outlook: Hawaii Bowl

Utah

Note:  Even a duffer like me knows not to expect an outcome like Oregon every week.  Hopefully, the week it catches up to them won't be this week.  After a week off, the team looks like they have come back to Earth, even if the fans are still...and for the life of me ,drop it...rubbing the nose of BYU fans in it.  This game against Cal will not be easy, and there has been a ton of weirdness in the PAC-12 this year.  There is a lot a stake.  Utah can firmly take control of the drivers seat in the PAC-12 with a win over Cal.  This will likely not be the week that Utah embarrasses themselves.

Current Record: 4-0

Probable Wins
California
Arizona State
Oregon State
Washington
Colorado (Easiest game left this season)

Toss Up
USC (Most difficult game left this season)
Arizona
UCLA

Pessimists Prediction: 9-3
Optimists Prediction: 12-0

This Week:

I don't know many looking for Cal to upset Utah at home this week.  I'm not that bold either.  It probably won't be a close game, but it won't be a blowout.  Just some good Utah defense.

Prediction: Utah 34 Cal 20

Post-season Outlook: I still think they get Stanford in the PAC-12 championship game.  I can't predict who will be the host.  Utah is ranked higher in the polls, but the Cardinal are ranked higher by the computers.  Now that USC and UCLA have felt the sting of the upset bug, Utah would probably get the Rose Bowl if they lose this game.

Utah State

Note:  See, told you it wouldn't be so bad without Chuckie.  And they have a team this week that knows what it is like to fall hard, fast and mighty.  No, they are not playing BYU this week.  It's the Fresno State Bulldogs, who have fallen from contender to doormat in the MW West very quickly.  Yes, they might even be worse than Hawaii.  USU will need the rest to get ready for Boise State next week.

Current Record: 2-2

Probable Wins

Fresno State
San Diego State
Wyoming (Easiest game left this season)
New Mexico
Nevada

Probable Loss

Boise State (Most difficult game left this season)

Toss Up

Air Force
BYU

Pessimists Prediciton: 7-5
Optimists Prediction: 9-3

This game:  This one will be ugly no matter the score

USU 45 Fresno State 10

Post Season Outlook: Poinsettia Bowl

Southern Utah

Sometimes things just go your way, and that is what happened in Ogden last week.  This game probably shouldn't have been this one-sided.  Everyone should know it.  Take a nice week off.

Current Record: 3-2

Probable Wins

Sacramento State (Easiest game remaining)
UC Davis
Northern Arizona

Probable Loss

Eastern Washington (Most difficult game remaining)

Toss Up

Montana State
Cal Poly

Pessimists Prediction: 6-5
Optimists Prediction: 8-3

Post Season Outlook: SUU will probably need to get 8 wins to even be considered for an NCAA bid this year.  At least it is still withing a the realm of possibility.

Weber State

Current record 2-3

Turnovers have been the bane of existence in Ogden for years.  It was really bad last week.  Suck it up and go for it again guys.

Probable Wins

UC Davis
Idaho State

Probable Losses

Montana
Eastern Washington

Toss Up

North Dakota
Northern Arizona

Pessimists Prediction: 4-7
Optimists Prediction: 6-5

This week: Well, it's Montana in Missoula, the best environment in the Big Sky Conference for everyone except the opposing team.  It would really be something is Weber came home with a win, even though it's not your father's Grizzlies.

Montana 35 Weber State 13